Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20; Canticle from Daniel 3; Luke 21:1-4
The book of Daniel opens with the king of Babylon choosing the brightest and best of Israel’s young men to be his personal servants. Besides educating them in Chaldean culture (remember that Abraham came from Ur of the Chaldees?), the king wanted them to have a share of the royal feasts. Daniel pleaded that he and his companions should eat only vegetables and be tested. Indeed, at the end of the ten day test, they “were fatter” than the others who had meat and wine! They willingly chose the simple life; the widow in Luke’s gospel willingly chose to be destitute, giving to the temple treasury “all she had to live on.” Hopefully, she had thought it through. What were the priests going to do with her little coins? Sometimes we may have to starve the system rather than ourselves.
For what, to whom are you willing to give all you have to live on (and I don’t mean just money)? Discuss these priorities with Jesus. Listen to his priorities. Will you act on his advice, the Spirit’s nudging? Ask for the gift of wisdom, to make wise decisions.
We pray not only for vegetarians who act in conscience for the good of the earth; we pray for those who have nothing to eat, or just a few grains each day.